Means and apparatus for control of remote electronic devices

ABSTRACT

Methods, apparatus, and systems to control remote devices or equipment via existing cellular telephone networks wherein information from a customer concerning a specific function is communicated and performed at the remote equipment. To achieve this, a Central Control receives information from the customer and correlates it to a specific cellular telephone MIN number which has been pre-programmed. The MIN number is then sent to a cellular provider. The cellular provider then transmits the MIN number to an antenna, which transmits the MIN number to a remote equipment controller at the remotely located equipment. The remote equipment controller then takes a part of the MIN and gives these numbers to a PLC at the remote equipment controller. The PLC then memory maps part of the MIN to a specific function to be carried out by the remote equipment controller, and the specific function is carried out.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/603,960 filed Jun. 25, 2003, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,778,635,which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/609,000 filedJun. 30, 2000, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,681,110, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/142,109 filed Jul. 2,1999, all of which applications are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to control of remote devices, and inparticular, control of remotely located electrical equipment, includingbut not limited to, lighting systems.

2. Problems in the Art

Large area lighting systems are well known in the art. They can takemany different forms. From baseball diamonds to playgrounds, to parkinglots, to golf courses; large area lighting systems are all around intoday's society.

In some instances, the lighting system is turned on and offautomatically by timers, photo detectors, or other devices. This worksreasonably well if the lights are used on a regular schedule oraccording to regularly repeating occurrences. In other cases, employees,staff members, or other persons must be hired or have the obligation toturn on and off the lights, particularly if the lights are used orneeded only sporadically. Most of the time the person maintaining thelights will have to take care of several keys for several lights. Thesepeople usually travel back and forth between the field and his/her homeand even field to field because the lighting is commonly used duringnon-business hours. In the time it takes a staff member to travel, thelights have been unnecessarily left on. Such a problem is furthercompounded when the staff member is not informed that the lights are nolonger needed for a certain event. When the lights are not turned off,this results in a waste of energy. This waste usually results in a wasteof taxpayer's money. The waste of taxpayer money is furthered by thepresence of vandalism, which often occurs to remote lighting systems.

An ancillary problem with manual control of large area lighting systemsis that the person in charge normally must handle keys for theelectrical boxes or buildings in which the switches or breakers arelocated to turn the lights on and off. Access by the public at large tothe switches is usually blocked for safety, economic, and practicalreasons. Such keys must be carefully handled and be available to controlthe lights. This can be cumbersome.

There has been some work done with computerized control of electricalloads or systems. The computer can have a database of instructions thatcould include turning a device on or off. The computer could utilize itsinternal clock or other criteria to issue commands. However, suchsystems generally require a dedicated computer to control each device orno more than several devices at a location. Such systems also generallyrequire special interactive software developed for each application. Tochange operation of the computer it must be reprogrammed, or newsoftware must be installed. Either case requires significant time andexpense.

Some attempts at remote control have been made. One example usesestablished paging systems as the carrier of instructions to remotelylocated devices which are to be controlled. Paging systems areattractive because they have currently developed to a point where theycan carry a significant amount of digital data instructions. However,they can be somewhat costly, including communication costs.

The paging system could include a central repository of instructions.Control of remote devices based on the central repository isaccomplished by sending out paging messages with control instructionscarried therein to a paging receiver at the remote device. While thiscan eliminate many of the problems associated with other methods ofoperating lighting systems, a major deficiency with paging systemspresently exists. In the United States, paging systems cover mostdensely populated geographic areas. Most major-sized cities have goodcoverage. However, coverage is lacking in many other places. Of course,electrical devices, including large area lighting systems, are notlimited to big cities. In fact, the need for remote control of devicesmay be more urgent in less densely populated areas. Thus, while pagingsystems offer some promise, they simply will not work in some areasbecause paging communications do not reach those areas.

Furthermore, paging systems tend to be one-way only, and therefore oflimited capacity and options. Two-way paging is presently only indevelopment. Digital paging systems are also in development, but it isestimated that infrastructure for substantial geographic coverage isseveral decades away.

Remote control of devices using DTMF signaling is in use. An example isremote control of the functions of an answering machine by pressingdifferent telephone keys. This can be accomplished over regular orcellular phones. However, because it involves establishing a telephoneconnection with the remote device, it must use the voice channels. Thisis not satisfactory. Voice channels are not always available. They canbe unreliable. This also involves the cost of using the voice channelwhile communicating the instructions.

A wireless communications system with more geographical coverage is thecellular telephone system. It is attractive because of this broadergeographic coverage and its existing infra-structure. Therefore, likethe paging network, capital costs of developing and installing a newinfrastructure could be avoided. It is also attractive because it has abuilt-in confirmation function. However, it is extremely limited in thedata that it can carry, especially out to remote devices, withoutinvoking its voice channels. For example, because of inherent limitationin the present cellular communications protocol in the USA (AdvancedMobile Phone Service or AMPS), it may be able to carry only three digitsof instructions in each call via the last four digits on each cellularphone's Mobile Identification Number (MIN), a ten digit number in theform of a conventional telephone number; i.e. abc-def-wxyz, where a, b,c, d, e, f, w, x, y, and z are a single digit including and between 0and 9, and where abc is the area code (three digits), def is theidentification of the local central switching office (CTO) for the landbased telephone system (three digits), and wxyz is a four digitidentification for the phone (equivalent to the “line” number inconventional phone systems). This is well-known and widely documented.

Under Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations, two cellularphone carriers for each geographic area are each given 416 duplex voicechannels, and 21 control channels. Carrier 1's channels are called the Achannels and carrier 2's channels are called the B channels. Forwardcontrol channels (FOCC's) are from the cell base station to a cellphone; reverse control channels (RECC's) are from the phones to the basestation. Under AMPS protocol, up to three digits in the MIN can be usedfor carrying data on the forward control channels.

An advantage of using the control channels of AMPS is that the messagesare cheap because they are short and do not involve the voice channels.Also the control channels are transmitted at higher power than the voicechannels, have better error correction and better frequency use, andhave less traffic. Therefore, they are more reliable as a communicationlink.

Therefore, current cellular telephone systems and protocols (e.g.Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS) in North America; other similaranalog systems are NAMPS and ENAMPS) are simply unacceptable because ofthe limitation of information that could be included as instructions orcontrol in cellular calls.

To have meaningful control of remote devices usually requirescommunication of more than three digits of instructions. At a minimum,this limitation would not allow an acceptable of level of flexibilityfor many applications.

Also, the utilization of MINs to both serve to instigate a cellular calland, with the same number, effect an operation (e.g. turning lights onor off) at a remote site is not indicated as a realistic use of MINs orthe cellular network.

One example of a cellular telephone based remote control system is thatof Cellemetry of Atlanta, Ga. It provides the means of sending short,telemetry-like messages over the cellular telephone system. Examplesinclude reporting (a) alarm panel status, (b) utility meter readings,(c) vehicle and trailer location, and (d) vending machine status. Itdoes utilize the overhead control channels (FOCC's and RECC's) ofcellular telephone systems to communicate the information. However, itsprimary uses involve transmitting data or information or status fromremote locations to a central location.

One specific example involves soft drink vending machines. Reports canbe communicated to a central location regarding how much product hasbeen sold and/or how much money has been received and/or how much changehas been dispensed. Another example involves turning off a machine orturning security on at the machine. However, there is no known abilitywith such systems to have individualized schedules or control options ateach remote device that can be handled via the three digits of acellular control channel registration message sent over the FOCC.

Such a system could use different MINs to set and reset flags in aprogrammable logic controller (PLC), for example, through a singleinput/output port, but there is no known controlling of resistive orinductive loads with MINs mapped in a PLC memory to functions. There isno known instruction set coded to MINs. The problem is one ofavailability of MINs. If each remotely positioned PLC with a cellularradio were given ten instructions to which it would respond, thecellular carrier would have to provide ten unique and distinct MINs foreach such radio. If there were only two radios, only 20 MINs would beneeded. But one hundred radios would need 1000 MINs. One thousand radioswould need ten thousand MINs and so on. If there are any meaningfulnumber of remote devices to be controlled (and remote radios), therewould not be enough MINs or the number of MINs per phone would have tobe restricted.

Essentially, cellular systems have wider coverage geographically thanpaging systems, but much more restricted data capacity. Therefore,cellular systems are not indicated to be viable candidates for flexibleremote control of devices.

There is no known existing system that remotely controls resistive orinductive electrical loads according to a centralized schedule throughthe cellular system control channels.

The state of the art has not revealed a way of solving the conflictingconcerns of cost, capacity, and coverage relative to centralized,automated control of multiple remotely located electrical devices.Therefore, there is a need for improvement in the art.

OBJECTS, FEATURES, AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

A principal object of the present invention is therefore to provide anapparatus and method of controlling remotely located devices, whichimproves over or solves the problems and deficiencies in the art.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention is toprovide an apparatus and method as above described which:

a) Is wireless.

b) Does not require specialized lighting control software or the needfor distributed software or updates.

c) Facilitates low cost use of communications networks (e.g. controlchannel of cellular, Internet).

d) Does not require a dedicated PC at each remote location.

e) Does not require a telephone line for each remote location andeliminates expensive installation of phone lines.

f) Does not require additional phone lines or hard wiring.

g) Reduces human time and the chance of human error.

h) Is cost effective.

i) Reduces staff legwork and time traveling from location to location,before or after events.

j) Eliminates human resources, time, and cost to physically travel tolocation(s) and manually operate the remote devices.

k) Saves energy by operating the remote devices only when they areneeded.

l) Uses existing communications infrastructures (e.g. Internet,telephone networks, cellular networks).

m) Allows for centralized support services.

n) Provides for easy training of end users (operators, customers, andinterested persons).

o) Optionally provides a confirmation sent for each new schedule orchange.

p) Is especially flexible for variable schedules at multiple locations.

q) Saves time.

r) Saves money.

s) Can be predominately automated.

t) Allows for centralization of data yet distribution of individualizedcontrol at each remote device.

u) Reduces need to distribute and track multiple sets of keys.

v) Is vandal resistant.

w) Has significant flexibility.

x) Is retrofittable.

y) Adapts to existing facilities, systems and devices.

z) Is expandable and upgradeable.

aa) Is reliable.

bb) Does not tie up voice channels.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent with reference to the accompanyingspecification and claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention involves methods and apparatus for controllingremote devices or systems. The present invention details a way for auser to control a plurality of functions at a remote device or locationby using the existent cellular telephone system, a control center, and aremote equipment controller at each remote device or system.

A control center is established, preferably including a computer. An enduser of a remote device or system can contact the control center,including via Internet, e-mail, phone, cell phone, fax, or even mail, torequest performance of operations by the remote device or systemaccording to a schedule. The control center stores the schedule andassigns or codes the desired request to one or more MINs (mobileidentification numbers) of a cellular telephone system. The MIN is a tendigit number which correlates to a cellular phone number. The controlcenter is assigned a plurality of MIN's assigned by a cellular carrier.The MIN's can be designated with area codes that are not accessible bycommon carriers. Therefore, a standard cellular phone cannot be calledusing the MIN's assigned to the central location.

The remote equipment controller includes a processor with memory that ispre-programmed with the authorized MINs and functions for the particularremote device. The processor is operatively connected to components thatcan effectuate a function in the remote device upon appropriateinstruction from the processor. When the schedule indicates an actionshould occur at the remote device, the control center retrieves the MINfor the function chosen by the user, and the MIN is sent to the cellularprovider. The cellular provider then calls the MIN of the remote radiolocated on the remote or system. Once the radio receives the call fromthe cellular provider, it passes all ten digits of the MIN to theprocessor (e.g. a PLC or programmable logic controller). The processoruses a memory lookup table to map the digits (e.g. the last three digitsof the MIN) to a specific pre-programmed function. Once this function islocated, the processor then performs this function. Thus, the remotelylocated device can be controlled, even according to multipleinstructions, by communication through the very limited data headroom ofthe control channel of a cellular telephone system.

Central control can utilize what is called a gateway to the cellularnetwork to communicate to the remote cellular radios and to store boththe schedules and the coded MINs.

As used herein, the terms “central control” or “control central” refersometimes to “central control” alone and sometimes to “central control”and a dedicated gateway to the cellular network. In other words, thefunctions attributed to central control could be performed withappropriate components completely at central control, or some functions(e.g. storing of database, use of database, interface with the cellularnetwork) could be delegated to another system, such as a gateway system,as will be further discussed below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic overview of a system according to a preferredembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic overview of how instructions are communicatedfrom a control center (“Central Control”) to a plurality of remotedevices.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic overview of how persons communicate withCentral Control.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic depiction of voice and control channelsrelative to a cellular transceiver.

FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram illustrating area code geographiccoverage for the United States according to a preferred embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 6 is a simplified diagram illustrating local central switchingoffice geographic coverage for an area code of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a simplified diagram illustrating mobile identification numbergeographic relationship for local central switching office coverage ofFIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic depiction of the system of FIG. 1 with respectto a remotely located lighting system for a ball field.

FIGS. 8B and 8C are additional diagrammatic depictions of the system ofFIG. 1.

FIGS. 9 and 9B is a diagrammatic view of a Remote Equipment Controllerof the lighting system of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a depiction of a lighting schedule for the ball field of FIG.8.

FIG. 11 is a depiction of a data table filled out and placed in an RECor LCC to set forth which contactors and relays control which zones of alighting system.

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic depiction of how control instructions are sentand implemented at the ball field.

FIGS. 13-15 are screen displays of a graphic user interfaces forentering schedule information at a web site, either of central controlor a gateway. FIGS. 16-21 are examples of forms used to collect data forinclusion in the database used to control the remote devices and tocommunicate with customers.

FIG. 22 is a diagrammatical illustration of the data structure of aschedule according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 23 is a diagrammatic depiction of a communication according to anembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

To assist in a better understanding of the invention, a detaileddescription of a preferred embodiment will now be set forth. It is to beunderstood that this describes but one specific form of the inventioncan take, and that others are possible. Appended drawings will bereferred to as description.

A brief overview of the preferred embodiment in the particularenvironment for this example of the invention will be given. A specificdescription of the structure or physical components of the preferredembodiment will follow. Thereafter, a discussion of how the structurefunctions in its working environment will be set forth. Finally,operational matters and features, as well as alternative embodiments,will be discussed.

Overview

This embodiment will be discussed in the context of remotely controllinglighting systems at a number of remote locations. However, it is to beunderstood that the invention can be applied in a variety of ways to avariety of remotely located equipment.

The general concept of a system according to the preferred embodiment isillustrated in FIG. 1. What will be called Central Control 10 includes acomputer having a significant amount of memory and processing power. Aplurality of lighting systems 12, located remotely from Central Control10, each include what will be called a Remote Equipment Controller (REC)14 which includes components that can turn lights 16 for each ballfield18 on or off. REC 14 further includes a cellular phone or radio 20.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8C, Central Control 10 is in communication witha dedicated gateway system 22 (DGW), which in turn is in communicationwith the Intersystem Signaled Network (ISN IS-41) 24 that interlinks allthe cellular phone systems in the U.S.

Central Control 10 and/or gateway system 22 includes a database ofon-off schedules 11 for each lighting system 12. At the appropriatetimes, software and equipment at Central Control 10 (or gateway 22)instigates a call to the appropriate radio 20. As will be discussed inmore detail below, through this procedure REC 14 can be instructed toturn the corresponding lighting systems 12 on or off, according toschedule. Thus, control of all the remotely located lighting systems canbe accomplished from a central location, in a wireless manner towherever cellular communications can reach (which is almost the entireU.S.), and in an automated, labor-saving, cost-effective fashion.

As further illustrated in FIG. 1, the system could also allow input fromwhat will be called customers 26 and interested persons 28. Examples ofcustomers are municipal park and recreation departments, schooldistricts, and athletic associations. Interested persons can beathletes, parents, or fans of athletic teams using ball fields 18, andthus interested in game times and locations.

Customers/interested persons 26/28, through conventional means such aspersonal computers, can access Central Control 10 through Internet 30.Schedules and other information regarding the games or use of ballfields11 would be available to authorized persons. Additionally, authorizedpersons could communicate changes to schedules 11, post messages, orsubmit other information to Central Control 10, so that schedules 18 orother important information could be kept current.

By referring briefly to FIG. 8, a personal computer, phone or fax couldbe used by customers 26 to transfer information to Central Control 10which then instructs the REC's 14 accordingly over the cellular network.

The personal computer, phone or fax (or other communication method)transfers to Central Control 10 information concerning functions thecustomer wishes to perform at the remote lighting system 12. CentralControl 10 matches the request of the customer with a cell phone MIN 20and then sends it to the REC 14. The REC 14 receives the MIN; interpretsthis as a function and controls the lights 16 of lighting system 12 inthe desired way.

Such a system can be used for a variety of different purposes. Examplesare lights at baseball fields, parks, golf courses, swimming pools,parks and bike trails. Other examples are possible.

Apparatus

Schedules

As explained above, customers 26 can utilize input devices such as PC's(e.g. e-mail), telephones or facsimile machines to send in or makechanges to schedules 11. These are all conventional components widelyavailable to the public.

For example, FIGS. 16-21 illustrate examples of forms that could begiven to customers or interested persons. The filled-out forms would bereturned to Central Control 10.

The input from customers 26 could be processed by employees at CentralControl 10, and then entered into a database of schedules 11.

For example, FIG. 16 asks the customer for identification information,security information (section 1), how to contact them either by email orfax (section 2), non-recurring lighting ON or OFF for each lighting zone(section 3), and recurring lighting ON and OFF functions for each zone,including date (section 4). The customer fills this in and faxes,emails, mails, or otherwise gets this to Central Control 10.

FIG. 17 provides a form so that information about how the relays arewired can be compiled for entry into the database.

FIG. 18 provides a form so that information regarding customers can becompiled and entered into the database to keep track of end users of thelights and make monthly reports to the customers regarding light usage,etc.

FIG. 19 describes the facility itself as well as the time zone andwhether daylight savings time applies. The database needs this becauseit is keyed to Greenwich Mean Time.

FIG. 20 compiles information about the facility owner or authorizedagent(s) so that only authorized individuals can send schedulinginformation to Control Central. It also allows verification of aschedule or schedule change by Control Central.

FIG. 21 is an additional form to compile information about the user ofthe lights or the facility being lighted.

FIGS. 13-15 are examples of graphic user interfaces or screen displaysfor accessing and entering scheduling and other information into thedatabase. FIG. 13 shows that access preferably is password protected.FIG. 14 shows that a variety of options could exist relative to use ofthe database, including entry of or changing of schedules (see buttonlabeled “Output Control”).

FIG. 15 shows a web site screen after selecting “Output Control” on FIG.14. Central Control would enter a MIN of a radio 20 in “Unit Number”. Ifimmediate override (see “Immediate Control”) of an existing schedule isrequired (e.g. if a customer has just called Central Control and askedto turn on lights currently to off according to the existing schedule),Central Control could override the existing schedule right then for anyof the relays/contactors 1-8 for that lighting system.

The “Schedule” section of FIG. 15 allows Central Control to enter theschedule for each relay/contactor (Op 1 to OP 8) for that lightingsystem, including which days of the week and which months of the year.The “once” column is for single, non-recurring events (from section 3 ofFIG. 16). Otherwise, the schedule will recur (from section 4 of FIG.16). Changes can also be made to the schedule.

Internet

Through standard e-mail, customers can send schedule requests to CentralControl 10 over the Internet, and optionally get confirmations back thesame way. An advantage of use of Internet 30 is increasing availabilityto the public, including at their homes, and its availability almostanywhere and anytime, but with no or limited communications cost.

Internet 30 could also be used to communicate between Central Control 10and gateway 22. The gateway provider could set up and maintain a website with appropriate user interface and security for these purposes.There is no need for special distributed software to customers 26 orinterested persons 28, or the need for dedicated computers at ballfields18. See FIGS. 13-15.

Central Control

Central Control 10 (in this example via gateway 22) performs a varietyof functions. The functions can be as diverse and detailed as desired.For example, control central sends messages over cellular network 24 tothe REC's 14. It also can send confirmations that scheduling informationhas been entered, that a scheduling function has been performed, that aschedule change has been made, etc. to customers 26 via e-mail or fax.

Employees at Central Control 10 review and properly format schedules anddeal with scheduling conflicts or other problems. Control centralincludes a computer (e.g. Dell Computer Corporation PowerEdge Server)with firmware and appropriate software secure from users. A database ismaintained to store the scheduling information.

Communications

To better understand the system of the preferred embodiment, thecommunications between the components of the system must be understood.FIGS. 2-7 illustrate the basic communications concepts.

The system relies on the ability to reach a variety of remote locationsin a wireless manner by relying on the cellular phone network. FIG. 2illustrates this in more detail. Control central 10 is located in StateC, City 1. In this example, there are seven lighting systems (numbered12-1, 12-2, 12-3, 12-4, 12-5, 12-6, and 12-7) to be remotely controlledby control central 10. Lighting systems 12-1, 12-2, 12-3 are located inState A, City 1. Lighting systems 12-4 and 12-5 are located in the sameState A, but in City 2. Lighting systems 12-6 and 12-7 are located in adifferent State B, and City 4 in State B.

City 1 of State A has a cellular carrier C1 that covers City 1 of StateA with cells C1-1, C1-2, C1-3, and C1-4. Cellular communications tothose cells is controlled by Mobile Telephone Switching Office-40-C1.Carrier C2 covers City 2 of State A with cells C2-1 to C2-8, which arecontrolled by MTSO 40-C2. Carrier C3 covers City 4 of State B with cellsC3-1 to C3-3, which are controlled by MTSO 40-C3.

Intersystem Signaling Network (IS-41)—Connects All Internet Carriers

Central Control 10 is located in still a third State, namely State C, inCity 34. As is well-known in the art, Central Control 10 (via gateway22) can communicate with any of the cells of cellular systems C1, C2, orC3 by using conventional land-line telephone gear and dialing up acellular phone in any of those geographic areas. A high speed dedicatedconnection (SS7) between Central Control 10/gateway 22 and the IS-41signaling network 24 can be made. A backup dial-up modem connection canbe available. Cellular systems C1, C2, and C3 are hooked up by highspeed dedicated connections to the intersystem signaling network (IS-41)24 that connects all cellular carriers. Thus, even though CentralControl 10 or gateway 22 is in one City in a first State and a lightingsystem 12 for a ballfield 18 in another City in another State,communication can be made if the ballfield City is covered by a cellularsystem.

Cellular Carriers

As is further well-known in the art, each cell of each cellular systemhas a base station 42 which includes a transceiver 44 and an antenna 46(see FIG. 4). The MTSO 40 associated with each collection of cellscommunicates with any of the base stations 42 in its system (vialand-line or wireless). The base stations then communicate in a wirelessfashion to the cell phones 20.

Mobile Telephone Switching Office (MTSO), sometimes referred to as anMSC, is established by each cellular carrier in each city or for eachcollection of cells. It is like a CTO (central telephone office) ofconventional land-line phone systems in that it coordinates calls to andfrom phones in the area which it covers. The MTSO also connects itscells to the conventional land line telephone systems (see reference no.21) and controls the base station in each of its cells.

This wireless ability, along with the existing infrastructureillustrated in FIG. 2, allows Central Control 10 (via gateway 22) tocommunicate with remotely located REC's 14 without the huge capitalinvestment of creating a new infrastructure, or laying dedicatedland-lines to each REC.

Conventional Phone System

The conventional land-line telephone system utilizes central telephoneswitching offices or CTO's distributed around the country, one for eacharea code. Communications can go into the conventional telephone systemat various times.

This is illustrated in FIG. 3. If a customer 26 wishes to communicatewith Central Control 10, one way is via a land line call (either voiceor fax). Other ways are via a cell call (which could in part involveland line telephone), or via e-mail (again usually by Internet 30). Itis even possible for a customer to make a personal visit to CentralControl 10 to seek or convey information.

Cellular Phone or Radio

Cell phones 20, also referred to as radios 20, are conventional cellularradios. An example is an Ericsson TXR module AM10 AMPS cellular radio(cellular receiver). Such components are relatively small (roughly 2″ Wby 4″ L by ½″ D), are durable (mostly solid-state), and relativelyinexpensive.

The mechanism to send a part of the MIN from radio 20 to PLC 50 is asfollows. An AT modem command (industry standard) emulates modemcommunication protocol and allows radio 20 to talk to PLC 50 through aserial data port. The communication is full handshake, full duplex andapproximately 2400 baud.

AMPS Communication Protocol

As previously discussed, a significant aspect of AMPS cellularcommunication is the precise way in which cellular calls are routed. Itis important to an understanding of the present invention, to understandthis.

FIG. 4 illustrates one cellular radio 20 in cell C1-1 of cellular systemC1. Base station 42 of cell C1-1 services radio 20 and is connected toMTSO 40-C1 of system C1, which in turn is connected to the IS-41intersystem network 24.

MTSO 40, through base station 42, communicates with radio 20 as follows.Forward control channel FOCC and reverse control channel RECC allow thebase station 42 and the radio 20 respectively to communicate callinitiation information and perform other functions. Forward voicechannel FOVC and reverse voice channel REVC carry the voice messages(audio) to and from radios 20.

Conventionally, use of the FOCC and RECC are for very short times andtraffic over these channels is not as high as the voice channels, wherethe real voice communication occurs. Conventionally, FOCC and RECC areprimarily used to register radio 20 to enable it to receive or make acall.

As described earlier, because FOCC and RECC are primarily used in thismanner, and because of the AMPS protocols, the amount of datacommunicated over these control channels is limited. Specifically,information on the FOCC when initiating a remote call to radio 20 islimited to essentially the MIN, that is, ten digits in the abc-efg-wxyzformat described above. To reach radio 20, the first six digits can notbe altered. The first three (abc) are the area code for the call,directing the call to the general geographic area of the home cellularsystem for the cellular radio 20. The next three (efg) are the local CTOnumber, a further geographical narrowing. The final four digits of theMIN (wxyz) are an identification number for the specific radio 20 sothat the call knows which radio it is supposed to be directed to.

If the MIN sent out by the caller matches with the MIN of the calledradio 20, the cellular system assigns the frequencies for the voicechannels FOVC and REVC, the duplex communication can begin. Prior tothat assignment of a voice channel, all of the signaling is accomplishedsolely over the IS-41's FOCC and RECC.

Thus, in the instance of FIG. 4, if cellular radio 20 has the MIN of080-377-4000, a call from Central Control 10 (via gateway 22) wouldinvolve dialing that number. The MIN would be carried over IS-41(reference numeral 24). As is well-known in the art so that it will notbe described in detail here, the IS-41 network 24 is able to discern the“home” cellular system for that MIN, but also can discern where theradio 20 matching the MIN is currently at geographically (because radio20 periodically sends out its MIN and lets the intracellular networkknow where its at).

Thus, the registration process that is used by the cellular telephonesystem to prepare for a call to a cellular phone is used here. What issometimes actually referred to as a “page” is made through the cellularnetwork to the cellular phone being called. The cell phone must tell thecellular system that it is on and ready. The cellular network notifiesthe entire USA of this (or more accurately, notifies all geographicareas covered by the IS-41 intersystem network). The cell phone scansfor the strongest FOCC to get to nearest base station and sends itsMID/ESN/and home system SID (all goes to the relevant MTSO). The cellphone is registered with local cellular system if everything checks out.

If the home cellular system validates the MIN, the call is registeredand is ready to commence. In this example, the radio having the MIN of080-377-4000 would receive its MIN over the FOCC. This registrationprocess, taking only hundreds of milliseconds, is essentially a “page”which lets the nationwide intra cellular network 26 know that remotephone 20 has come on-line. It is important to note that over the FOCC,only the ten digit MIN is sent to radio 20. In the forward direction(over FOCC from base 42 to radio 20), only three digits of the MIN areavailable to carry information.

Radio 20 sends the ten digit MIN as well as a 32 bit Electronic SecurityNumber or ESN over the RECC, and therefore only from radio 20 back tobase station 42. Thus, the 32 bits are not available in the forwarddirection for instructions to REC 14. Other information may be sent overthe forward or reverse control channels (e.g. home system ID), but suchdoes not change the basic fact that the only “data” so to speak thatmight be carried over the FOCC (base 42 to radio 20) in the MIN is thelast three digits of the MIN. For reasons dictated by the AMPS protocol,only the last three digits are potentially utilizable for carrying dataor instructions.

Therefore, as discussed above, one would be deterred from looking to theAMPS limitation of three possible digits in the FOCC, if one werelooking for a way to send digital instructions. However, it is in thisvery environment that the preferred embodiment functions.

As shown in FIG. 4, radio 20 according to the preferred embodiment isgiven anywhere from one to a substantial plurality of MIN's to which itwill respond. Taking again the example of a MIN in the form of080-377-4000, FIG. 5 shows how the USA for example, is divided up into aplurality of area codes 080 through 087. A call from Central Control 10to 080-377-4000 would route the call to the 080 area code, hereillustrated to be in the Northwest part of the United States.

FIG. 6 illustrates that the geographic extent of area code 080 issub-divided into a plurality of regions 370 to 377, each serviced by aCTO 38. Each region is identified by the three digit number andtherefore in this example the call is routed to CTO identified by “377”.

FIG. 7 illustrates that CTO 377 would provide the MIN to the appropriateMTSO 40, which would track down the cell (here C1-1) receiving thestrongest signal or vise versa relative to the radio with the MIN080-377-4000, and sends the MIN over the FOCC at base station 42 in cellC1-1, to that radio 20. Thus, radio 20, responding to this called numberor MIN, is found in msecs over the cellular network control channels.

Gateway

In one embodiment of the invention, a third party administrator (incooperation with input from Central Control 10) could be used to controlthe calling to cellular radios 20. The third party could also obtainproprietary area codes, CTO numbers, and phone IDs unavailable to otherpersons or companies. This would ensure that no accidental orintentional but unauthorized caller could send calls in the system ofthe invention.

The third party would effectively function like an MTSO, but have aproprietary control office for the cell phones in the system. Byappropriate controls and software, the third party could restrict anyoutgoing calls in case an MIN and/or MIN/ESN is poached.

Furthermore, the third party could send cancellation messages after acertain time for each paging to free up space and capacity over thecellular control channels.

Information could be sent to the third party from the Internet, anyintranet, or land-line. This third party, called a “gateway” betweenCentral Control and the regular cellular system, would essentially actas a “home” cellular system or MTSO for all cellular phones associatedwith the preferred embodiment. Therefore, all those cell phones wouldessentially be roaming the cellular intersystem network. The gatewaywould place a “call” to a roamer cell phone via its special MTSOprogrammed to accept the special MIN's.

An example of such a third party gateway is Cellemetry of Atlanta, Ga.In their system, the MTSO can be programmed with up to ten MIN's percellular radio. Higher numbers of MIN's per phone are possible.

FIGS. 13-15 show how the gateway system could be accessed by CentralControl, and how scheduling and other relevant information can beprovided from Central Control 10 to gateway 22 via a private, securelocation in the gateway website.

Remote Equipment Controller or REC

In this embodiment, communications hardware, software, and networks havebeen described which allow Central Control to use the quick, low costcontrol channels of the AMPS cellular telephone protocol to contact aplurality of remote cell phones using existing infrastructure. Use ofthis communication to affect a function at a remote lighting system 12involves utilization of a remote equipment controller or REC 14, whichwill now be described in more detail.

By referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the REC 14 can be seen in one form. Forlighting systems, particularly outdoor systems, REC 14 can be containedin a lighting contractor cabinet or an LCC 48 (e.g. NEMA 4Xenclosure-fiberglass (indoor) or aluminum (outdoor), 16″ (H)×14″(W)×6.25″ (D)), fully assembled and factory tested. The LCC could beseparate.

Major components of REC 14, in addition to cellular radio 20, includecontroller 50 (e.g. a PLC), relay board 52 and power supply 56. Thecontactors and fuses/breakers 58 could be in the LCC. Relevantcharacteristics of these components are set forth below.

Controller 50 can be a 87C52 from Intel Corporation. It includesnon-volatile memory into which a database is pre-programmed. AuthorizedMIN's for radio 20 are mapped to instructions in the database. Theinstructions are then carried out by PLC 50 by sending electricalinstructions to other component(s) of REC 14. When a call is made to REC14 using a MIN to which REC 14 responds, controller 50 (via appropriateconnection to radio 20) is given the authorized MIN and thus can map theMIN to its stored instruction set for that REC 14. Non-volatile memoryretains information even in power outages or brown-outs.

Multiple-(e.g.—eight) output relays are used on relay board 52 tocontrol electrical loads such as conventional lighting contactors.

Multiple lighting contactors 54 (e.g. six Siemens Sirius 3R seriesindividual Form C contacts, hermetically sealed, maximum 7.5 amp at 120VAC) are controlled by the relays of board 52. By this method, the veryhigh voltage/current needed by the high-powered lights (e.g. 1500 WattMetal Halide lamps), can be turned off or on by much lowervoltages/currents.

Optionally, multiple (e.g. eight) three-position selector switches(Off-On-Auto or OOA, Make-Before-Break or MBB) could be included in REC14 or LCC or a separate enclosure for convenient access. They could bedoor mounted, with one red pilot light for each OOA switch. The functionof these switches will be discussed below.

Electrical power could be delivered through a duplex receptacle—120 VAC(for field service tools). Primary and secondary fusing as well asterminal blocks could be used for this incoming power, load wiring andREC control. The input power supply (e.g. 115 VAC (+/−10%)) can havereplaceable fuse and transient protection. All internal devices arewidely available. Some could be DIN rail mounted for easy replacement.Approvals and standards include UL 916—energy management system for theREC, and FCC part 15 for a Class A device.

REC 14 includes separate line voltage Off-On-Auto switches (OOA) foreach control circuit. New installations are pre-engineered and factoryassembled which includes all necessary contactors, OOA switches andcontrol transformer, fuse blocks, and terminal strips. REC 14 allowsmanual control of high voltage 3-phase sports lighting or automaticcontrol from the REC.

REC 14 could include a short mast, noise-free, high impact durableantenna (when unit is mounted outside) or a standard whip antenna forinside.

Optionally an internal heater with regulating thermostat could befactory installed (recommended where outside temperature drops below 15degrees F.).

REC 14 can be pre-wired, with a fully tested wiring harness betweenrelays and lighting contactors. Plug-in screw terminals accommodate upto No. 14 AWG wire. It can have snap-in electronic circuit boards withbuilt in test buttons to verify operation ability to test the unit witha direct page or by a portable computer connected through a serialcommunication port.

Operation

The present system first requires input from the customer as to anon/off schedule for the customer's lights. As discussed previously, thisinformation can come into Central Control 10 in a number of differentways and from almost anywhere. FIG. 10 illustrates a schedule for thehypothetical Twin Peaks Park District of State A, City 1. Four differentlighting zones are to be controlled, one being simply security lights.ON and OFF times are formatted by the customer or Central Control 10 ina fashion that can be entered into the Central Control database.

FIG. 11 illustrates some of the additional information that would bepre-programmed into that database. Details about the relays andcontactors in the REC 14 for the lights in each lighting zone arepre-known and in the database. A default schedule could optionally beentered.

Central Control's computer therefore knows when to turn each lightingzone on and off. The customer sets the schedule.

Alternatively, the authorized customer can enter or change on/off times.A template such as FIG. 10 or 11 could be used to enter a new ON/Offschedule or to review or modify a current schedule.

As shown in FIG. 8, the user of the system can send informationregarding instructions at a remote lighting facility via the Internet,e-mail, a cellular telephone call, or even a standard call. When thisinformation is received at the central location, the user's request willbe identified and matched to instructions contained in the PLC at theremote equipment controller. The instructions contained in the remoteequipment controller can be standard instructions or can be personalizedthrough each user.

The central location will have a plurality of mobile identificationnumbers designated from a cellular carrier. This cellular carrier willhave access to area codes outside of the common carrier accessibility.Therefore, a standard cellular or standard telephone could not be calledusing the system. FIG. 4 details an exemplary hypothetical list ofpossible MIN numbers designated to the central location for a specificuser.

The cellular telephone system has been split up into an “A” channel anda “B” channels. All receivers can listen to only one channel, A or B, atany given time. Also, a radio can respond to “even” or “odd” MINs butnot both. Therefore, looking at FIG. 4 the representation of080-377-4000 (“even” MIN) would represent the same function as080-377-4001 (“odd” MIN). They are mapped to the same function.

By referring to FIG. 12, most MIN's are assigned from a cellularprovider a plurality of mobile identification numbers to achieve aplurality of functions. The cellular provider will have access to areacodes not accessible to common carriers. These assigned mobileidentification numbers can range from a plurality of last four digits inan area code to a plurality of office codes and available last fourdigits inside those codes.

PLC 50 can be pre-programmed with desired functions. PLC 50 contains thememory map where the functions are stored. Each memory location insidethe memory map directly maps to a respective MIN number. By referring toFIG. 12, a remote equipment controller (REC 14) or wireless remotelighting controller receives the MIN from the cellular provider. REC 14is normally-colocated with the lighting system.

Referring to FIG. 8, Control Central receives information via theInternet or telephone from the customer location. This information isthen translated to a respective function or MIN number and transferredto the cellular provider.

Central Control 10 places a call which goes to that carrier's computer(MTSO). It checks where the remote radio 20 is (if in its “HOME” area,the carrier's computer knows because of registration process). If radio20 is in a “VISITING” area, the intracellular network finds and thenknows where it is at. The carrier sends a MIN to the location of anearby antenna, which broadcasts the MIN and rings radio 20.

Once the mobile identification number for the specific function chosenby the user has been obtained, the number is then sent to the cellularprovider that has assigned the MIN's to the central location office.Referring to FIG. 8, the cellular provider then sends this informationto either a satellite (or an antenna, through broadcast or hardwire),inside of the cell where the remote equipment controller is located. TheMIN is then sent to the phone via the control channel of standardcellular telephone usage.

A control channel only carries data. By using the control channel thereis no interference with the voice channel.

Radio 20 essentially listens for its number and acts according to logicat REC 14. REC 14 receives and stores messages. It looks at the MINreceived at radio 20, in the form “abc-def-wxyz”, where abc=area code(proprietary to gateway so no one else can interface with thefunctioning of these communications), def=CTO number, wxyz=w000 to w999;giving possibly up to 1000 instructions. It automatically turns thelights on or off per user schedule. It is thus remotely controlled by acellular signal.

Referring to FIG. 9, when the remote equipment controller receives theMIN via cellular radio 20, the remote equipment controller will decodethe last three digits of the MIN. The PLC will then take these threedigits and memory map them to a location containing the function desiredto be performed at the remote lighting system. When that function hasbeen found, the PLC then sends confirmation back to Central Control andthe function is performed.

Looking at FIGS. 12 and 13, there is a possibility for a plurality offunctions. In the example of FIG. 4 there could be hundreds offunctions. There may be more in the future.

Thus, by this method the schedule for each lighting system isautomatically accomplished by Central Control sending out pages throughthe control channels of the cellular phone network to appropriate REC'sat appropriate times.

The primary MIN “wakes up” radio 20, or in other words, lets radio 20know that an instruction will follow shortly (within a pre-selectedtime—e.g. 60 seconds). The gateway codes a plurality of what will becalled “secondary MINs” to a plurality of functions to be carried out byREC 14, and stores those secondary MINs in the gateway database. Thegateway continuously scans (e.g. every minute) the schedules in thedatabase. Whenever the schedule for a particular zone of lightsindicates that an action time approaches for that zone of lights, thegateway encodes a MIN based on the current state of the relays for theparticular REC involved and then fires off that secondary MIN into theIS-41 signaling network (with appropriate routing so that it will betransported to the appropriate radio 20).

Radio 20 receives the secondary MIN, and passes all digits of the MIN toPLC 50. The pre-programmed map in PLC 50 decodes the last three digitsxyz and generates the appropriate control signal to the appropriaterelay(s) to either turn that zone of lights ON or OFF, depending on theschedule.

In practice, each relay is activated or deactivated by relatively lowvoltage but controls whether the high voltage needed by a bank of sportslights, for example, is supplied to the lights to turn them ON andoperate them. Each individual relay or group of relays is controlled byone or more MINs; one set of MINs to turn the relay(s) ON; one set toturn the relay(s) OFF. Therefore, if the schedule requires thatsubstantial sized area to be lit (i.e. which requires several banks orzones of lights to turn on), more than one relay must be controlled atthe scheduled time. Multiple MINs can not be sent to a single radio 20in parallel; the gateway must send a “primary” MIN first, to “wake up”or “alert” radio 20 and then send a “secondary” MIN to perform a controlfunction. The gateway waits for a predetermined time (e.g. approx. 60seconds), and then sends another “wake up” primary MIN followed by asecondary MIN to perform other control or scheduling function, and so onuntil all necessary scheduling functions have been specified. Thegateway must therefore initiate the whole procedure far enough ahead ofthe scheduled time for use of the field so that all lights are on atthat time.

The gateway knows which radio 20 was just woken and knows whichinstruction it needs to send to that radio 20. Therefore, the secondaryMINs do not have to be unique for each radio 20. This allows for manyless proprietary MINs to be obtained (MIN reuse). It can also allow fora standard MIN set to be created regardless of what radio 20 isinvolved. The gateway locks any other message from going to a waken upradio 20 until either a secondary MIN is received and a confirmation issent back or a set period of time expires (the radio “times out”).

The back end software at the gateway essentially operates according tothe following:

-   -   1. Scan database on request or every set amount of time.    -   2. Look for schedules whose time is up for transmission.    -   3. Encode secondary MIN based on an action to be performed for        each REC related to each schedule up for transmission.    -   4. Send Primary MIN to relevant radio to wake it up.    -   5. Follow Primary MIN with the encoded secondary MIN to the        radios.

The gateway can use a UNIX or Windows NT based computer. The Webserver(e.g. Microsoft Internet Information Server or Apache) can run onWindows NT or Unix. The website of the gateway can be programmed in acombination of Java, HTML, Microsoft SQL, Delphi, and Perl languages.The database can be programmed in Microsoft SQL, Oracle, or Progress.

It is possible for feedback to be generated by the REC and sent back tothe gateway. As discussed above, the reverse control channels have theadvantage of carrying the 32 bit ESN as well as the MIN. By appropriateprogramming of radio 20 and PLC 50, the ESN can be masked and replacedwith data. In the present embodiment, 8 bits are used to tell thegateway such things as (a) instruction received and executed or (b)instruction received but not understood. If radio 20 wakes up with theprimary MIN but does not receive a secondary MIN within a set period oftime, PLC 50 can execute a “time out” function on its own, and couldindicate this over the 8 bit message masked over a part of the ESN.

In any of the above cases, the gateway would receive and decipher the32-bit return message from the REC. The gateway could then send acommunication in any of a variety of forms to Central Control so thatCentral Control knows what occurred. Central Control in turn couldcommunicate in any of a variety of ways with its customers.

Because of the 32 bits in the ESN, a return message to the gateway couldinclude other information. Examples are: what the signal strength was ofthe received instruction, how many times radio 20 had to be paged beforeit sent a confirm back to the gateway, the identity of the switch thatthe antenna connected to, and status codes, such as whether the functionwas completed or not.

Options, Alternatives, Features

The included preferred embodiment is given by way of example only, andnot by way of limitation to the invention, which is solely described bythe claims herein. Variations obvious to one skilled in the art will beincluded with the invention defined by the claims.

One option of the system is to confirm the carrying out of the schedulesto the customer. As shown in FIG. 8, a customer can be notified viaemail or fax that the schedule has been entered into Central Controland/or carried out at the customer's lighting systems.

Some other options are as follows. There may be times were the lightsneed to be turned on or off outside the established schedule in thedatabase at Central Control. For example, there may be a need to turnlights ON early (for a pre-game test or unscheduled event) or keeplights ON longer (if a game is running later than planned) or turnlights OFF early (game canceled or cut short, bad weather).

One override method one is a telephone override. It works in thismanner: the customer will call a toll-free number and speak with aControl Central staff person. That person will validate the customer'sPIN against the central database and enter the requested changes on thecustomer's behalf. In the case of trying to extend the ON time, usersneed to call at least 15 minutes before scheduled OFF time to ensurethat the new messages will be received by the REC 14 before theautomatic OFF time. Another override method involves the use of theOff/On/Auto (OOA) switches previously described. Each REC will haveindividual OOA switches for each control zone. The REC will operateautomatically when the OOA is in the AUTO position. In the ON positionthe lights will remain ON until the OOA switch is changed to OFF or backto AUTO.

Another option is to assign more than one MIN to a cell radio 20. Oneline (the first MIN) is rung, then the calling phone hangs up. The PLCcould go into a wait loop where it stops and listens (the PLC isalerted). If a call is received on any of the other lines (e.g. nine)within a period of time (e.g. 30 seconds) then PLC 50 knows to dofunction 1; if line 2, function 2; . . . ; if line 9, function 9.

During a power failure, relays go to their default state (i.e. NO orNC). After normal power returns, the REC unit will auto-restart andresume normal operation. PLC 50 remembers the last state and schedule ofthe relays prior to power loss and restores them to the appropriatestate upon resumption of power.

The simplest use of the system according to the preferred embodiment, isto simply initiate the cellular page to remote radio 20. The PLCassociated with that radio 20 reads the MIN that is attempting to pageby Central Control 10, and in particular, reads the last three digits ofthe MIN. Once the page is decoded, the PLC simply turns the lights on oroff.

As is known in the art, if there is a need to send data back to CentralControl from the REC, one might be able to use the 32 bit ESN in reversecontrol channel communications from radio to control central. This wouldallow up to 32 bits of information to be sent back for remote monitoringand status information. The ESN could be “masked out” by the gatewaycompany. It can also be reprogrammed on the fly in the field.

Some examples of remote monitoring over the reverse control channel, asopposed to remote control over the forward control channel are asfollows:

a) Measurement

b) Poll information

c) Monitor user thresholds and, if desired, take an action

d) Alarm monitoring

e) Security alarms

f) On-demand status

g) Location/GPS

h) Track mobile equipment

i) Motion detectors or sensors

j) Can override PLC if game too long:

k) Can function as security device/alarm if notices activity during“off” hours

l) Rain sensors

m) Photo detectors

n) Measure lamp life

o) Detects malfunction or light is out

p) Data gather lamp life, field usage, energy usage

Areas and facilities that can use this device are:

a) Park districts

b) Schools

c) Ballfields

d) Sports complexes

e) Golf course

f) Ski resorts

g) Racetracks

h) Sportslighting

i) Security

j) Parking lots

k) Door locks

One alternative embodiment to this, is that there would be a pluralityof books of functions inside the PLC. The first call to the remoteequipment controller would identify which book the functions are locatedin and the next call would identify what function to use inside thatbook.

And yet another embodiment splits the clock inside the PLC intosegments. Each segment would have up to 1,000 (000-999) functions. Byusing this method the central location can greatly expand the amount offunctions used in a limited MIN number range. Therefore, each MIN numberwould represent a different function depending on what time it was. Thusif a central location only had 500 MIN numbers, by splitting the clockinto five segments the central location would have up to 2,500 functionsavailable. In order to achieve this operation the clock(s) at thecentral location and the clock at the remote equipment controller wouldhave to be synchronized to avoid error. Therefore, a command coming fromthe central location would have to synchronize the clocks at a timeinterval to stop the clocks from drifting.

Multiple confirmations could be sent to customers, e.g.:

a) Schedule request received (e.g. via e-mail to end user from controlcentral)

b) Action transmitted to gateway company (e.g. e-mail to end user)

c) Action was executed at REC.

The invention has been described in some detail as to the requirementsfor each aspect of the invention. Specific examples are now shown of adata representation of the time schedule and a command instruction setthat could be used. The creation of a data representation of a timeschedule and a command instruction can vary as is well known in the artand the data representations shown are by way of example and are in noway limiting.

Time Schedule

FIG. 22 shows how the customer's schedule can be represented by a datastructure or data format that reduces the amount of memory needed andthe amount of data that needs to be communicated in a complete one weeklong time schedule. One method of doing so involves grouping the relaysinto groups. For example, a group size of 8 relays can be selected. Anumber of groups can be determined, such as 10 groups. For each group, anumber of events can be assigned for a given time period during whichthe events are to occur. Turning on the lights and turning off thelights are examples of events. In one embodiment, four events can occurin a day. This would, for example, permit one or more groups of relaysto turn on and then off and then on and then off in a single day. Todecrease the amount of storage required for a time slot while stillpermitting small enough time divisions such that lights can beefficiently controlled, 96 time slots per day can be used. This permits15 minute wide time slots each day.

When only two types of events are used (i.e. ON and OFF), these eventscan be represented by a single bit. When 96 time slots are used thesetime slots can be represented with 7 bits. Because 7 bits permits 128different discrete values there will be additional space. One use ofthis additional space is to add time slots for sunrise and sunset.

The table below also summarizes the space allocation required for a oneweek long schedule.

Space required Event 8 bits (1 byte) 7 bits for time slot 1 bit forON/OFF Day 4 bytes 4 events of 1 byte Group (1-8 relays per group) 28bytes 7 days of 4 bytes Schedule 280 bytes 10 groups of 28 bytes

Command Set

Three digits are available for commands. Each digit can be representedin a binary coded decimal (BCD) notation. A cellular radio can only heartransmissions that have “even” numbers or “odd” numbers. One bit of thislast digit (least significant bit) indicates if the number is even(bit=0) or odd (bit=1). Therefore, this bit can not be used for commandor data information, reducing the number of possible commands by two.For example, if a command to turn all groups on is given, this commandcould be communicated to either of two cellular radios in any givenarea. Therefore two 3-digit commands, differing by the least significantbit of the least significant digit are needed to ensure that the samecommand will be issued regardless of which type of radio happens to bethe recipient of that call. For example, in one embodiment the threedigit command of 500 could be the command to turn off all lights for onecellular radio and then, correspondingly, the command 501 (500 and 501differ by the least significant bit) would be needed to have the sameeffect to provide the same operation for a different radio.

The following table summarizes the 3-digit commands that are availablein the forward channel direction. Note that some commands require morethan a single page in order to implement. Where multiple pages arenecessary, the number is specified. In addition, there is acorresponding registration response from the REC. This registrationresponse can be one or more registration messages. Each registrationmessage can be a verification of the information sent in the forwardchannel direction, or else each registration message can contain data.There may be multiple verification messages or multiple data messages orboth.

3-Digit No. of Command No. Forward Registration (Decimal) ChannelResponse Even, Odd Command Name Pages No. + Type 0X0, 0X1 Turn Group X 11 - Verification Off at Time in Bin 1 0X2, 0X3 Turn Group X 1 1 -Verification Off at Time in Bin 2 0X4, 0X5 Turn Group X 1 1 -Verification Off at Time in Bin 3 0X6, 0X7 Turn Group X 1 1 -Verification Off at Time in Bin 4 0X8, 0X9 Turn Group X 1 1 -Verification Off at Time in Bin 5 1X0, 1X1 Turn Group X 1 1 -Verification Off at Time in Bin 6 1X2, 1X3 Turn Group X 1 1 -Verification Off at Time in Bin 7 1X4, 1X5 Turn Group X 1 1 -Verification Off at Time in Bin 8 1X6, 1X7 Turn Group X 1 1 -Verification Off at Time in Bin 9 1X8, 1X9 Turn Group X 1 1 -Verification Off at Time in Bin 10 2X0, 2X1 Turn Group X 1 1 -Verification Off at Time in Bin 11 2X2, 2X3 Turn Group X 1 1 -Verification Off at Time in Bin 12 2X4, 2X5 Turn Group X 1 1 -Verification Off at Time in Bin 13 2X6, 2X7 Turn Group X 1 1 -Verification Off at Time in Bin 14 2X8, 2X9 Turn Group X 1 1 -Verification Off at Time in Bin 15 3X0, 3X1 Turn Group X 1 1 -Verification Off at Time in Bin 16 3X2, 3X3 Turn Group X 1 1 -Verification Off at Time in Bin 17 3X4, 3X5 Turn Group X 1 1 -Verification Off at Time in Bin 18 3X6, 3X7 Turn Group X 1 1 -Verification Off at Time in Bin 19 3X8, 3X9 Turn Group X 1 1 -Verification Off at Time in Bin 20 4X0, 4X1 Clear Schedules 1 1 -Verification Group X 4X2, 4X3 Turn Group X 1 1 - Verification ON Now4X4, 4X5 Turn Group X 1 1 - Verification Off Now 500, 501 Turn AllGroups 1 1 - Verification ON 502, 503 Turn All Groups 1 1 - VerificationOFF 504, 505 Set Day of 2 1 - Verification Month for Reporting 508, 509Initiate Time 1 1 - Verification Schedule 510, 511 Reset Alarms 2 1 -Verification + Data 512, 513 Reset 1 none Controller 520, 521 ReadReal-time 1 2 - Verification + Clock Data 522, 523 Set Real-time 2 1 -Verification Clock (YY/MM/DD) 524, 525 Set Real-time 2 1 - VerificationClock (Hours & DST) 526, 527 Set Real-time 2 1 - Verification Clock(Minutes) 530, 531 Read Astronomic 1 2 - Verification + Data Data 532,533 Set Astronomic 2 1 - Verification Data (Latitude) 534, 535 SetAstronomic 2 1 - Verification Data (Longitude) 536, 537 Set Astronomic 21 - Verification Data (Sunset, Sunrise, GMT) 540, 541 Get Radio 1 1 -Verification Status 544, 545 Suspend Radio 1 1 - Verification fromService 546, 547 Restore Radio 1 1 - Verification to Service 548, 549Get Radio 1 1 - Verification + Registration Data Pass/Fail Count 550,551 Get Switching 1 1 - Verification + Status Data 552, 553 Get SystemPort 1 1 - Verification + Status Data 554, 555 Run Diagnostic/ 1 1 -Verification + Get Status Data 556, 557 Get DAU Current 1 1-3 -Verification + Mismatch Data 558, 559 Get DAU 1-6 1 1-6 Verification +Alarm Status Data 560, 561 Set Group 2 1 - Verification Occupant WarnEnable/Disable 562, 563 Test Occupant 2 1 - Verification Warn Output564, 565 Enable/Disable 2 1 - Verification Motion Sensors 566, 567Enable/Disable 2 1 - Verification Miscellaneous Flags 570, 571 SetRemote 2 1 - Verification Switches 5-8 to Group X 572, 573 Set Remote 21 - Verification Switches 1-4 to Group X 574, 575 Set Relays 5-8 2 1 -Verification to Group X 576, 577 Set Relays 1-4 2 1 - Verification toGroup X 580, 581 Get Channel 1-8 1 4 - Verification + Starts DataTotalization 582, 583 Get Channel 1-8 1 8 - Verification + Manual ModeData Totalization 584, 585 Get Channel 1-8 1 8 - Verification + AutoMode Data Totalization 586, 587 Get Relay 1-8 1 3 - Verification +State + Reason Data Code 590, 591 Get REC Alarm 1 2 - Verification +Status Data 6XX, 7XX, Time Schedule 2 1 - Verification 8XX, 9XX EventChange

Message

FIG. 23 shows a generic form of a command of a FOCC address page, a FOCCdata page, a second FOCC data page and a registration response. Achecksum is included in the verification to provide for error detection.

The checksum is the decimal sum of the last three digits of the addresspage added to the last three digits of the command page added to thelast three digits of data page represented as an eight bit value. Theresult is then converted to a One's Complement and kept as a single8-bit value.

It is to be understood that there may be one or multiple data pages inthe FOCC direction and that there may be one or multiple data pages inthe registration response. This use for communicating data in the RECCdirection is known in the art.

What is claimed:
 1. An apparatus for controlling a plurality of remotewide-area lighting systems according to widely varying schedulesspecific to and customizable for each system, comprising: a. a centralcontrol system including a computer comprising data related to aschedule of events for each wide-area lighting system and acommunications device to receive communications related to the scheduleof events for each wide-area lighting system; b. a remote equipmentcontroller connected to each wide-area lighting system and adapted tocontrol a function of the system; c. a first communications link betweena user-controlled data entry device and the computer of the centralcontrol system adapted to allow an authorized person or entity to inputor manipulate at-will the data related to a schedule of events for acorrelated lighting system to allow direct user control of the scheduleof events by the authorized person or entity; d. a second communicationslink between a user-controlled communications device and the centralcontrol system communications device adapted to allow an authorizedperson or entity to at-will request the central control system to inputor manipulate the data related to a schedule of events for a lightingsystem to allow indirect control of the schedule of events by theauthorized persons or entity; e. a third communications link adapted tocommunicate data from the central control system to the remote equipmentcontroller for each wide-area lighting system to actuate a function ofthe wide-area lighting system in correlation to both (i) an event in theschedule of events for the lighting system and (ii) an at-will request;f. wherein the data comprises a schedule of events related toillumination of a relatively large area.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the central control system computer comprises a server connectedto the internet.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the remoteequipment controller comprises a digital controller connected to theinternet.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wide-area lightingsystem comprises sports lighting.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe third communications link comprises a wide-area network.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of any of thecommunications links is wireless.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe remote equipment controller includes a cellular receiver.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein said data from the central control systemcomprises instructions.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein saidinstructions include one or more of the set comprising turn lights onand turn lights off.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein saidinstructions correspond to a schedule related to time and/or date. 11.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said third communications link isfurther adapted to communicate data from the remote equipment controllerto the central control system.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 whereinsaid data from the remote equipment controller to the central controlsystem comprises information related to the lighting system orconditions at or around the lighting system.
 13. The apparatus of claim12 wherein said information is related to one or more of the setcomprising: a) measurements by sensors at or around the wide-arealighting system; b) polling related to an operation or component of thewide-area lighting system; c) detection of a condition at or around thewide-area lighting system; d) status related to the wide-area lightingsystem, and e) status related to a condition at the location of thewide-area lighting system.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising a plurality of remote equipment controllers, the thirdcommunications link adapted to communicate data from the central controlsystem to the remote equipment controllers.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1wherein said user-controlled data entry device comprises a personalcomputer.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said user-controlledcommunications device comprises a mobile phone, a fax, or a land-linephone.
 17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said user-controlledcommunications device comprises a device which can communicate to thecentral control system through the first or second communication link.18. The method of claim 1 wherein the lighting systems comprise highintensity discharge light sources.
 19. An apparatus for centrallycontrolling wide-area lighting at a plurality of sports complexes to beilluminated in remote, widely-dispersed different areas comprising: a. awide-area lighting system on site at each of the plurality of sportscomplexes, each on-site wide-area lighting system comprising: i. aplurality of poles spaced about each sports complex; ii. a plurality oflight fixtures positioned on each of the plurality poles; iii. aplurality of electronic light fixture controllers operably connected toeach of the light fixture on each pole; b. a central control systemcomprising: i. an off-site central controller including a memory storingdata related to event or condition related to the plurality of wide-arealighting systems at the sports complexes submitted by or changed by anauthorized person or entity related to each wide-area lighting system;ii. a common on-site controller for each sports complex, the controlleroperably connected to the plurality of light fixture controllers at eachof the sports complexes; iii. a communication link to communicate datafrom the off-site central controller to any on-site controller at anysports complex according to the events or conditions at the off-sitecentral controller to remotely control a function of one or more sets ofthe lighting fixtures of any of the plurality of wide-area lightingsystem related to the events or condition at the off-site centralcontroller; c. wherein the data comprises a schedule of events relatedto illumination of a relatively large area.
 20. A method for control ofremote outdoor lighting systems, each lighting system containing aplurality of zones to be illuminated by a subset of lighting fixture,comprising: a. storing in a first location information related to one ormore event related to each lighting system, the information comprisinginformation input from or changed by an authorized person remote fromthe first location or input from an authorized person at the firstlocation; b. communication related to an event from said first locationto a second location related to said lighting system; c. carrying out anaction related to the lighting system at the second location in responseto said data, wherein said action comprises for each zone (i) providingpower to the lighting fixtures to said zone or (ii) terminating power tothe lighting fixtures assigned to said zone; d. wherein the datacomprises a schedule of events related to illumination of a relativelylarge area; e. wherein communication of said data is accomplished over awide-area communication link, wherein the wide-area communication linkis at least partly wireless; and f. wherein the wide-area communicationlink comprises at least in part the internet and wherein the methodfurther comprises: communicating data from said second location to saidfirst location via wide area communication link, where said data fromthe second location comprises information related to environmentalconditions at the second location.
 21. The method of claim 20 whereinsaid second location is remote from said first location.
 22. The methodof claim 20 wherein said stored information comprises a schedule ofevents related to the second location.
 23. The method of claim 20wherein the wireless part is cellular communication.
 24. The method ofclaim 20 wherein the input or changes by the authorized person arefacilitated via a personal communication device and the internet. 25.The method of claim 24 wherein the personal communication devicecomprises a portable computer.
 26. The method of claim 20 wherein thelighting system comprises a sports lighting system or security lightingsystem.
 27. The method of claim 20 further comprising revising thestored information from time to time.
 28. The method of claim 20 furthercomprising communicating additional data from the second location to thefirst location.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the additional datafrom the second location to the first location comprise informationregarding status of the lighting system, or a condition related to thesecond location.